No argument that Safin was extremely talented. I already pointed that out in a previous post in this thread. But he had only 4+ years at the top in the 00 decade (his early/mid 20s). Roddick rose a little bit later -- 2001/2002. He remained a top 10 player for most of the decade (until 2011).
Doesn't matter whether Safin was somewhat more talented than Roddick or not. ARod had a greater total impact on the 00 decade than Safin did. That is the major criteria for many of us.
I already pointed out that they both had 5 Masters 1000 titles -- but 3 of Safin's were the smaller (& weaker) Paris Masters. Roddick reached more finals at both M1000 and slam events than Safin. ARod also reached more slam SFs than Safin. I provided more details on all this earlier.
And your "facts" about Roddicks injuries are not correct. I was mistaken about his shoulder injury in 2007. That did not happen until RG 2008. Also had a neck injury later in '08 (Cincy). His shoulder bothered him in 2010 and again in 2011. Possibly a major factor in his retirement.
Foot injury in 2006 at RG. Other?
He was plagued with hamstring issues in 2007. First st Miami. He aggravated it further during Davis Cup. Because of the hamstring, Andy also pulled out of the US Clay Court Championships (Houston) and the Monte Carlo Masters. He withdrew from the Hamburg Masters to recover for RG. He pulled out Madrid that year with a knee injury. I believe he also pulled out of the Paris Masters in 2007 to recover.
But the question was 'who is the better tennis player'. Safin is technically the better tennis player....I am confused by the confusion of this question!!!!
Actually, Safin's masters count for more. Roddick had an injured clay courter in Miami 04, and never played Bo5 matches in masters, whilst Safin did.
Roddick's consistency is due to being able to play for 10+ years. Safin would never reach that level of consistency due to being injured in so many events. think about it for one second. In 2003 he missed pretty much the whole year, 2004 is his comeback year and is still playing through pain, then in 2005 gets brutally injured again. That's a bummer considering he was just starting to peak - won Madrid-Paris-AO
Roddick's shoulder injury hampered him, but he was never going to win it playing passively anyway.
RG? Seriously?
Safin's career was cut short due to injuries and lost half of his career. Roddick was always showing up for events. No comparison as to who struggled with injuries.
Roddick didn't have a greater impact on the sport. In a list of matches from the 00's, a lot more matches will show as Safin being a part of them. Roddick has had some classics, but Safin has battled Agassi, Federer, Sampras etc in the slams, some of them being affairs, some of them Safin winning in epics, some of them Safin losing but giving his all etc. Roddick just lost to better players. Beat who he was supposed to beat (in his prime), lost to someone he could/should lose to. Safin beat players who are regularly talked about in GOAT lists. Sometimes beating them easily. Can Roddick say this? No.
I feel Roddick is more popular with people who don't really follow tennis that well.
Safin's record on clay is better than Roddick. Fact.
Safin's record on HC is better/ Fact.
Safin's record indoors is better. Fact.
Safin's record on carpet is better. Fact
So, Roddick is inferior to Safin on 4/5 conditions yet I am supposed to believe that Roddick is better.